Chinnor went top of the table in National 3 South West after defeating Bournemouth 21-15 as the title rivals clashed at Kingsey Road.

Victory, which owed much to Chinnor’s resolute defence, took them level on points with the visitors, whom they lead on matches won.

Chinnor had flanker Harry Jackman sent off for a second yellow card, but still held on in front of a large crowd.

With both sides entering the game unbeaten, something had to give – and it was Chinnor who started the stronger.

They took the lead on ten minutes when No 8 Liam Gilbert’s clean line-out catch created the platform for centre Sam Stoop to race over from 20 metres.

Fly half James Cathcart converted and although Chinnor were in the ascendancy, Bournemouth’s lively scrum half Sam Hardcastle nipped over for a try.

A well-organised driving maul set up a slick passing move that ended with wing Pip Seymour crossing on the right and Cathcart converting.

After the break, Chinnor forced a turnover in the Bournemouth 22 and flanker Alex Waddingham blasted over for Cathcart to convert.

Bournemouth began to turn the screw and with Jackman in the bin, Hardcastle went through for his second try, converted by Robbie Searle.

Hardcastle was yellow-carded for punching on 75 minutes.

Jackman’s second yellow for an off-side offence led to Searle slotting a penalty. However, Chinnor remained resolute.

Oxford Harlequins edged out Exmouth 22-17 to record their second successive victory, but they remain in the relegation zone.

Quins got off to a flier when lock Michael Forde ran in an interception try from 50 metres, converted by fly half Joey Todd.

The hosts’ driving mauls were working well and one saw flanker Julian Watkins go over on 31 minutes.

Exmouth replied with a try from speedy wing Tom Kill, while Quins’ Harry Burn had to make a try-saving tackle.

Todd’s penalty made it 15-5 on 45 minutes, but Exmouth landed a breakaway try through Tom Elliot.

A minute later, centre Martin Nutt broke and off-loaded for Todd to score a try, which he converted.

On 74 minutes, Kill sped over for his second, which centre Andrew Powell converted.